I am convinced that there is something in Styrofoam cups that gives me a headache when I drink out of them. Every time I drink out of one within an hour I have a headache. Maybe it is just coincidence as I only drink out of them on occasion when there is no bottled water available or I forget my cup (like today). I hope it is just my mind playing tricks on me, but part of me is convinced that there is something in Styrofoam that isn’t good for us!
Boo Styrofoam!
You're right...something is going on. In fact the styrene, which makes up a styrofoam cup, is considered a possible human carcinogen. They say it can mess with your thyroid and hormone levels, etc. I would in no way be surprised if it would/could cause headaches in some people.
ReplyDeleteThe migration of styrene from a polystyrene (styrofoam) cup containing cold or hot beverages has been observed to be as high as 0.025% for a single use. That may seem like a rather low number, until you work it this way: If you drink water, tea, or coffee from polystyrene cups four times a day for three years, you may have consumed about one Styrofoam cup-worth of styrene along with your beverages. Mmm.... chemically...
Styrene migration has been shown to be partially dependent on the fat content of the food in the polystyrene container—the higher the fat content, the higher the migration into the food. Entrees, soups, or beverages that are higher in fat (like a bowl of three-cheese chili or a cup of Triple-Cream Frappa-Mocha Java Delight) will suck more of the styrene out of the polystyrene container. Some compounds found in beverages, like alcohol or the acids in "tea with lemon," can also raise the styrene migration rate. When it comes to more solid food, the meat or cheese you buy from the market on a clear-plastic-wrapped polystyrene tray is readily picking up styrene from the foam container. Studies have also found that styrene tends to migrate more quickly when foods or drinks are hot.
Oh boy! My head is in my hands...
ReplyDeleteOh My Goodness! I knew there was something! I have had a headache since 10 am, precisly 42 minutes after I purchased a water in a styrofoam cup! something IS going on!
ReplyDeleteM. don't laugh! You know I have said this since I started here. I am my own case study and after nearly 3 years of extensive experimentation I am convinced I am either A. allergic to styrofoam or B. the government has put a chemical in styrofoam that is released in small amounts into people's bodies taking hours off our lives with each cup full we drink so that they can secretly control the ever growing population! That is what I think!
Damn you styrofoam! I am finished with you and your styrene of carcinogen that is affecting my body!
W.K.
ReplyDeleteYou must switch to paper, plastic or glass. Pronto.
GREAT research, Mrs. Turtle.